Hi,

I want to start with an intermediate Chinese course in one of those three Chinese language schools.

Any information about or experiences with those schools would be highly appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Elmar,

I don't know KCELC and Tenwest, but I had a very good experience at SFL. I had only four days free in Kunming to study some basics of chinese, but they proposed me an adaptated intensive scheme very quickly so I could learn a lot in a few days time only. The method was the best I ever experimented in learning langages : practicing theory and exercice in the classroom and then experimenting in the street. I reached my objectives about orientations and directions in the city for example. The equipment is new and very good and the teacher very careful to you. Hope this helps you,

Emmanuelle (stayed in Kunming at the end of february, still in China)

Hi Elmar,
Have you heared the Yunnan PASI College, the teahcher there more friendly, the key point is that they use the westen ways to teach instead of the traditional chiense ways, i think thats good .o
of course,for more information in details you should contact with school.

here is their number: 0871-3647463

i almost forget the Address: 36#, Huashan Dong Road,Kunming (华山东路36号）
wish you could find a best place to study

Ive been studying at SFL for the last 5 months and have found it fantastic. I originally tried KCEL and found their classes ok but it just didnt have the flexibility I was looking for. Also it was a very generic class just like that of a University back home where you couldnt ask all the gritty cultural questions a foreigner wants to ask living in China.

SFL is well set up to do one on ones or small classes and teachers are actual teachers not just an english major that happens to teach on the side. In my one on one classes Ive had insightful conversations that have lead me to better understand Chinese culture and language more than anything else I have done. I choose my own topics and the teacher then prepares great power point slides to guide the lesson. Thoroughly recommended.

I studied in SFL almost half a year and I think the school is definitely to be recommended
First of all the teacher is well qualified and speaks a good Mandarin. The progression is well balanced and not to heavy so we progress at a slow and good pace. But the thing I enjoyed the most was the use of the new technologies. A big video screen served to the weakly lessons in order to study the new "hanzi", the vocabulary as well as some contextual dialogue for the grammar. And most of all, I had the chance, when I could not attend physically to the class, to do distance learning. I was in Hong-Kong and I did the class on line with my teacher in Kunming !

Well I guess this message will be CENSORED as I copied the content of a forum I launched yesterday about SFL and distance learning. Chris decided to CENSOR it giving the controversy reason it was an add.
Very funny when you read their massive advertisement for Sal… (this time I CENSOR myself ha ha) & Co. as well as their close friends.

Very sad and even pathetic when you think about some Western behavior and decision in terms of management in China. I do sometimes fully understand some Chinese citizens and leaders, hating to receive lessons from the Westerners about free expression and human rights. After 3 years in China and different kinds of working experiences I must admit the worst boss I had was French. A real "dictator" who would never have behaved this way in France, taking advantage of his position in a developing country. I do regret this kind of smooth "dictatorial" gokunming management (and this is not the first time) and wish more competition for gokunming to improve and give a better image of Western management to Chinese people.

Hi! I am currently studying at SFL. I've been very pleased! I got to have a free lesson before signing up. As a teacher myself (Spanish) I was VERY impressed with the preparation the teacher puts into the lesson. She also communicates very quickly through email and always provides extra help. She integrates technology and cultural information and videos into the lessons where appropriate. I even learned some Chinese calligraphy. She can easily change my lesson time if I need a different time for whatever reason. Also, her Mandarin and English are both very standard and phenomenal, as she studied at the best language school in Beijing. I highly recommend SFL!

I also wanted to add, she uses the book system that I picked out. This was very important to me! She will prepare for whatever book you like. She can also recommend different books if you are not sure. I have been studying with SFL for 6 months.

My teenage daughter is not actually studying at SFL, but the teacher comes to our house every week for her Chinese class. I can agree with what others have written here - she is always very well prepared and makes good use of powerpoint etc. She speaks good putonghua and explains everything very clearly, so she is easy to understand. My daughter is taking a UK Chinese exam soon, and even though the teacher had not taught for that exam before, she has done a great job preparing my daughter. She took note of everything required in the exam syllabus and listened to all my requests for things to cover. We can definitely recommend her for anyone who needs their own personal study programme - I'm sure this teacher will do a great job of meeting your requirements.

to Elmar and other wanting-to-learn-chinese students,
Coming from Shanghai, I spent the last 8 months in Kunming. In Shanghai I experienced some -of the best- Chinese teacher, freshly graduated from what is called "China Best Chinese teaching for Foreigner university". And I was somewhat disappointed. Lessons were often boring (or teacher looked bored!!!) or inadapted to my level. So at first, when I met GTC (Great Teacher Cao) from SFL I was full of doubt about finding in Kunming what I wasn't able to find in SHA. But surprise ! I must say Cao LaoShi had been my best teacher.

Flexible with the class hours, able to adapt quickly with student requirements and...what is for me one of a langage teacher best skills: the ability to teach new terms using what is already known by the student and a huge amount of patience. Without any doubt I advise any new - or advanced - student to give a try with GTC !

Add to the previous post: For the other schools, I just don't know. Never heard about them. Good luck Elmar with your Chinese study, it's a long path, a never-ending study ... but so enjoyable. First "ChengYu" I learnt was 好事多磨 and that so true ! "^_^"